Serenity Stories

Serenity HospiceCare is honored to present testimonials by the families who have found that in a time of need Serenity Hospice helped them find hope and a better quality of life for the entire family. Time and again they tell us of the great comfort our compassionate care brought to them. We’re equally proud to present testimonials by a few of our front-line staff – devoted individuals who are led to care for families experiencing the most difficult time of their lives.

Serenity HospiceCare Staff

“Three Serenity staff members: Amy Forsythe, RN; Rob Pierce, Chaplain; and Diane Weber, Social Worker talk about what it means to them to care for people experiencing end-of-life issues and their families and why they chose to work for Serenity HospiceCare.”

Linda's Story

“My dad was a pistol. He really enjoyed the outdoors – hunting, fishing, playing cards – you know, when he was in his prime, and then we found out my father had colon cancer. I spoke with a co-worker who told me Serenity HospiceCare were the ones that I needed to call. “Hospice” was always such a scary word. I guess his fear and our fear of being on hospice was that he would not be able to enjoy the life that he was used to. In talking with Serenity HospiceCare, there’s so much more that they do and that they can offer – and it’s not really end of life – but for my dad, it was the beginning of life. Without Serenity HospiceCare, my dad would not have been able to live as good a life as he did in the five years that they were able to care for him. One of the things that he enjoyed the most was the family gatherings. We would pull up the driveway, and there was a chair that sat on the front – which was his chair – and it still sits there in the spring and in the fall because he enjoyed just being outside. For our family and for my dad, Serenity HospiceCare was our saving grace, really. As a daughter, I know I made the right decision when making the call to Serenity HospiceCare. In my eyes, Serenity HospiceCare is the only hospice care.”

Gus' Story

“First time I saw Jane was when I was at work at a restaurant in Branson, and I was the head cook and she came in to apply to be a waitress. The more that I talked with her and spent time with her, I realized that – you know – she’d be fun to grow old with. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I didn’t really know what to do; I didn’t know how to handle it. I was afraid I was going to lose her. I was afraid that all my plans and hopes and dreams were going to be stolen from me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to face it. As a husband, it was really difficult to watch my wife deteriorate. I probably shed more tears than she did because it really just tore at my heart and soul to watch her. Serenity HospiceCare gave me back control over the situation. All of the nurses that came out were wonderful. They were all just like angels – just God-sent angels to help us. They went the extra mile on everything they did for Jane and I. Hospice gives you so much comfort, peace of mind at a time when you’re basically pretty scared. My wife and I – we had one plan in life, and that was to grow old together. And for some reason, she passed away at age 58. You need to contact Serenity HospiceCare and let them help you through it because I’ll tell you, you cannot do it alone.”

Mary Lee's Story

“When I met Bill, it was like character met character. It was right below the pig pens where I met my husband for the first time, and I don’t know whether it was the aroma from the pig pen or what I looked like, but he was smitten right then. Life with him was just…every day was a brand new day. When we first decided to contact Serenity Hospice was probably through our doctor who told us he thought that was a good idea. It certainly wasn’t a death sentence – not on Bill’s part – because he actually got better and was able to get off hospice and then in later years when he met with more complications, then we went back with them. I think the thing that really impressed me the most with Serenity Hospice was the fact that they allow you to still go with dignity, and that’s so important – especially to a man – and they allowed him that. When our male nurse would come in and shake his hand, from Serenity, he gave him a good, firm handshake, and he let my husband still have some dignity. I think people make the mistake of not going on soon enough. If you call them, they’ll take the pressure off of you, and then you can spend some quality time with your loved one. I believe that Serenity Hospice really gave Bill and I the peace of mind when it mattered the most – to both of us.”

A Story from Denny

“My mom was only four foot seven. She was a giant in some ways even though she was short. She’s always helped me get back up when I’ve got down – giving me advice or whatever, you know. She was always a good cook, and, of course, the Sunday dinners were always spectacular. Mom was a Christian-minded person, and Dad was too and they emphasized it to us kids. When I think of Serenity Hospice, I think about the caring. They was going to be there with us. There’s more respect. Respect for the loved one, respect for the family. You can see it. I would highly recommend Serenity Hospice for any family. They care for their job, they care about the patients, they care for the family. It’s hard on a family – harder than what you think. Serenity HospiceCare has given my family the peace of mind when it matters the most.”

Loretta's Story

“Sweetheart of a man, David was. He just had this smile. It was kind of a little crooked smile. Very handsome. I had taken David in for a doctor’s appointment. His doctor told us that there was nothing else they could do. He talked with us about Serenity Hospice and asked if that would be something we would be interested in. We weren’t home probably an hour and we had already gotten a call from them setting up appointments for the next day and get his care started. It was just amazing how quick it all happened. They were all so very good to him. So professional, so loving. The minute you hear from your care provider that there’s nothing else they can do, that that’s the time that you need to pick up the phone. Call Serenity and let them know that you need their help because, trust me, you do not know what is ahead of you, and you are going to need their help. Not just for your loved one, for your patient, but for yourself. They are there for you and your family also. Everyone that came into my home, they became part of my family. Everything is taken care of. Your medicines are delivered to your door, you don’t have to worry about any of that because Serenity Hospice takes care of that for you. You know, you’re there to give your attention and your love and care to your family member, and they’re there for you and for your family member. They’re just wonderful people to work with.”

A Message from Dennis

“Being faith based is the heart of Serenity HospiceCare. I think that when people sense that you’re concerned, you’re listening, you’re hearing what their saying. That the trust in that relationship grows. I want people to know that Serenity HospiceCare cares about you, about your loved ones. There are a lot of individual unique needs that people have that we deal with on an individual and unique basis. The sooner that Serenity HospiceCare can enter the picture, the sooner that we can begin to offer reassurance and support. Not only emotionally, but in terms of the physical discomfort, and anxiety, restlessness, all the things that go along with uncertainty. The thing that people appreciate the most is how quickly we respond, and how sincerely we respond to their needs. Knowing that they can pick up the phone, two o’clock in the morning, three o’clock in the morning and contact a nurse with a question or a problem. I think that a lot of times families recognize that, “Boy, why didn’t we do this sooner?” It may be that if this isn’t the time for hospice it may be the time for palliative or outreach care. Give us a call; we’ll be glad to talk to you, to understand your situation, to help you find peace.”

Ed's Story

“I was my wife’s only caregiver. I was very protective of my wife; I did not really trust anyone. I soon learned I could put my trust in Serenity HospiceCare. Anything that was needed for my wife, it was there. When you are faced with a situation like this, you’re losing a loved one. You’re so overwhelmed that you really don’t know exactly what all the good things can be done for you. I know that Serenity HospiceCare is there for people long before I requested. And it is there for them whether they have insurance, or the funds to pay, or not. Hospice is not giving up. Serenity HospiceCare gave me hope, knowing that I wouldn’t make any mistakes. Serenity HospiceCare improved the quality of my wife’s care immensely, and I wish I would have done it sooner.”

Rebecca's Story

“The first experience with Serenity HospiceCare was with my mother. I think my father let us know that we need to involve Serenity because he had seen them with mom. My dad told Serenity HospiceCare all of his ailments and they listened and they helped him, along with her. And he liked that. It was very important for my father to stay at home. I worried a lot that may not be possible but Serenity HospiceCare taught us how to move him, how to lift him. We felt great for my dad because he had everything he needed. Socks, lotions, medication, even a certain pillow they brought dad, I think he was totally comfortable. What brought me the greatest peace was knowing if I did not know what to do, I could call. Serenity HospiceCare was as good for me as it was my father. Because none of us are medical people, we didn’t know what to do, and we would just call. You’ re just not alone; they’re there for you 24-7. Before I thought Hospice meant the end. It taught me it does not mean the end. It’s assistance, it’s encouragement, Serenity HospiceCare made a difference that we could not have done without them.”